In reality, Pontiac's Phoenix Center has a lighted parking lot in its future.

Watch a report about the demolition of the Phoenix Center during today's News at Noon.

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Pontiac Emergency Manager Lou Schimmel told The Oakland Press editorial board Thursday that he has decided to demolish the Phoenix Center amphitheater and parking garage at a cost between $1.6 to $2 million, and turn it into a paid-only parking lot.

Schimmel estimates that demolishing the Phoenix Center will save the city $8.1 million in repairs and upkeep over 10 years, and will save $160,000 a year in insurance.

The city received 13 bids for the facility's demolition and is reviewing the three lowest bids, Schimmel said.

The land the Phoenix Center sits on will become a lighted parking lot after its demolition, Schimmel said, and the roads that bisect the structure, Orchard Lake Road and Saginaw Street, will remain in their current form for the time being.

Schimmel plans to pay for the demolition using existing city funds. The Phoenix Center has about $17.5 million in bonded debt held by Oakland County, meaning the county has a lien on the property. Deputy Oakland County Executive Bob Daddow said the Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on the demolition plan next week.

About one-half of the Phoenix Center's bonds, or $9.6 million, are scheduled to be paid off on June 1, 2013, using proceeds from the city's $55 million wastewater agreement with the county Water Resources Commission.

Will Koski, building manager for the two Ottawa Towers office buildings attached to the Phoenix Center, said he has no comment on the city's plans at this time.

State of Michigan employees who work in the Ottawa Tower on Woodward Avenue use a portion of the garage for parking. Ottawa Towers representatives have said in the past that they've invested in the buildings, and feel the parking structure is needed in order for office space at the towers to be marketable.

Schimmel said Thursday, "It isn't the obligation of the city to provide parking at its expense for those buildings. He said the Ottawa Towers have "ample parking" with the Phoenix Center down.

District 5 Councilman Donald Watkins said "it's a shame that two people decided the fate of a building that belongs to the city of Pontiac."

"In a city of 60,000, tearing this building down benefits less than 10 people," he said. "All the decisions for Pontiac are being made by Lansing and at the 1200 (North Telegraph) building at the county."

District 4 Councilman Randy Carter said, "I think it's premature, and I don't see any reason to have it demolished."

District 3 Councilwoman Mary Pietila said, "I have some grave concerns about tearing something down when we don't know how connecting entities are going to react."

The councilwoman also said, "Nobody entertained any thought of using (the Phoenix Center) as a venue for what it was built for since (former Downtown Development Authority director) Sandy Michael-McDonald left."

Williams said "we could save the Phoenix Center" by putting out new requests for the insurance on the facility in search of a lower rate; having the garage's DTE Energy bill re-evaluated; and having LED lighting installed in the parking garage.

"I think before any decision is made on tearing it down, it should go to a vote of the people, because (the Phoenix Center) was built with taxpayer money," Williams said.

The councilman, who has voiced his disapproval of a Phoenix Center demolition at recent council meetings, said "You never know what you're going to run into. The change orders you're going to run into are probably $1 million. In reality, if they spend $2 million, it's probably going to be $3 million by the time they're done."

Williams added, "I feel they're trying to fast track this project before the emergency manager gets out of here."

District 7 Councilman Kermit Williams said, "Every asset we have that could potentially generate money is either up for sale or already sold. My biggest fear is that it turns into another Silverdome debacle, where after a state appointee makes a decision, it turns out to be a bad business decision for the city of Pontiac."

Williams added, "I would love for all of the energy and passion that went into the Phoenix Center deal to go into board-ups of houses, and things like that."